Cal/OSHA Cites Los Angeles Carwash Businesses for Unsafe Practices

[Omaha Steve]

http://compliancehome.com/news/OSHA/14265.html

(Dec 24, 2008)-- Cal/OSHA investigators this month issued $25,085 in citations for safety and health violations at two Los Angeles Carwash businesses. The companies, Vermont Carwash and Hollywood Carwash were inspected on July 28, 2008 after the Los Angeles Cal/OSHA office received complaints filed by the Southern California Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health on behalf of the employees working at the businesses.

“Carwashes and other operations using energized machinery and hazardous chemicals have specific requirements they must meet to control exposure and prevent accidents,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Len Welsh. “Serious injuries or even fatal accidents can be caused by this kind of work if employers fail to protect employees from the types of hazards we found.”

The inspections revealed serious and general violations at both locations. Serious safety hazards found included:

* exposed moving parts on the belt and pulley of a washing machine at Vermont Carwash

* unguarded gears and sprockets on the car conveyor line at Vermont Carwash

* exposed moving parts on the shaft of the Cat pump, used for application of liquid materials at Hollywood Carwash

* unguarded pulley of automatic water pressure pump at Hollywood Carwash

* lack of emergency eyewash and shower equipment at both locations.

Other violations included the failure to provide heat illness prevention training and no written hazard communication plan, a must for businesses that work with hazardous chemicals.

FULL story at link.